Work is one of the most important spheres of human life. We usually spend more time at the workplace than with family or friends. Therefore, you should take the choice of a job seriously. But even if you’ve already made your choice, but don’t feel satisfied, don’t be upset. It’s always possible to change jobs.
How do you know it’s time for a change? The Layboard has prepared a list of signs that you should look for a new job. In this article, you will learn about a list of undoubted factors that you should urgently change your career or even your field of activity before you lose all your nerve cells and go crazy.
1. You dread every new day at work
If your work makes you so disgusted that you don’t even want to open your eyes in the morning, you snap at your loved ones over breakfast for trivial things and feel depressed. Then it would help if you looked at what bothers you: a new challenging task, a specific employee, or a critical situation. Or are you tired of the monotony?
If you can’t think of any reasonable explanation, then it’s not a matter of time constraints but of work. Try to talk to your boss about a new direction in your career, or quit with a clear conscience.
2. You have absolutely no interest in the work you do
Nothing is worse than a job with nothing to do with your life goals or personal interests. No matter how much money you make, you will never be able to fully enjoy your life or reach your full potential if you are tied down in a tedious, uninteresting job. Moreover, such general dissatisfaction will soon spill over into other areas of your life and may eventually break it altogether.
3. Your job is boring
Not every profession has a creative side and a daily variety of colors. However, in every occupation, you can find space for self-improvement, as successfully proved by those who know how to find inner harmony, for example, in making sushi or gardening. If you feel overwhelming boredom during your working day, this is a sure sign that you won’t last that long.
4. You feel stuck
If you feel like you’ve learned almost everything about your business and don’t see any more room for development, if you realize that you’re not going to get a promotion or other career advancement in your current position, it’s time to look at job ads.
5. You have noticed health problems due to work
We spend a significant part of our time at work, and this cannot but affect our health. Even the thought of work makes you feel anxious, worried, and sad. You become nervous and wake up every morning as if you went to bed. You overeat or undereat and spoil your relationships with loved ones. You have started to catch colds more often or have exacerbations of chronic diseases. It’s not good, is it? It’s your body trying to tell you what you’re trying to ignore.
It’s time to get out. You need to remember that work is an essential part of a fulfilling life, and if you do something that irritates you, this tension accompanies your nervous system at work and everywhere. It drains you and takes away your vitality.
6. Your boss is the spawn of hell
If your boss causes you to panic constantly – so much so that you lose sleep and feel an acute sense of inferiority – run away! Run away from this monster before it destroys your psyche, self-respect, and faith in good humanity. It is better to change your boss than yourself.
7. You have no time for yourself at all
If you work day and night without raising your head and have no time for yourself, your loved ones, or your hobbies, consider looking for a more relaxing job. What’s the point of making a living if you don’t have time to enjoy it?
8. Disappointment
You are not happy with the results of your work. Your work is devoid of meaning and value.
A person needs to believe that their work has beneficial results, that they make a valuable contribution to the world, and that they matter. If your work seems meaningless, you will not be able to do it yourself.
9. You are not productive
The quality of your work is suffering. You’re scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed more often and need help concentrating. It’s no wonder that you work hard, despite your remorse. Sometimes you even dream about being fired, not daring to take responsibility. However, to leave your employer on good terms, it is essential to maintain mutual respect and leave on time.
10. You have read this far
You may have yet to find a single point in the above text that applies to your situation, but the fact that you have reached the end of this article shows that you are interested in the topic and dissatisfied with your current place of work. Think about it!
Of course, we’re not naive optimists, so we recognize that for many people, the decision to change jobs is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do. But sometimes, constant nervous tension, dissatisfaction, and feelings of inferiority can have even more severe consequences for your health than such changes. So before deciding, think about what is more important to you.
We suggest you take time for yourself and use simple, clear steps to decide.
Analyze the following in detail:
- Me and my role – how do I feel in the morning and at work, do I want to go to work, how do I perform at work, do I like myself as I am now?
- Team – who my colleagues are, who my manager is, whether I like the people around me and whether I want to be like my colleagues or manager in the future.
- My development – where I am going, whether I have prospects or growth in the company, whether I want to develop in this company and grow, whether my area of responsibility and salary is increasing.
- Self-realization – whether I am fulfilling my potential in this position and my current company.
Labor market overview
If you are going to change jobs or are thinking about it, take the time to analyze the available vacancies in the labor market. Analyze the field of activity (or several areas) you are interested in. What skills are required for the positions you are interested in? What experience and knowledge do you have? Are there any open positions in the companies you like? What salaries are offered by employers?
SWOT analysis
Now use the SWOT analysis marketing tool to expand your vision. The tool allows you to consider different points of view and assess your risks and opportunities. Each letter stands for a sector with a lower value. Carefully write down each industry for yourself and your situation. There are no correct answers, only your vision and opinions. After working through each sector in detail, read everything you have written – the answer will be noticeable, or you will have a new vision of the situation.
- S – Strengths – strengths in changing jobs.
- W – Weaknesses – weaknesses in your decision.
- O – Opportunities – opportunities that come with changing jobs.
- T – Threats – threats (possible) associated with changing jobs.
Planning
Based on the previous entries, develop your strategic plan depending on your decision.
If you stay in your current job, change something about it. Your actions, focus, thoughts, and approaches – you know perfectly well how to add something new, engaging, and lively to your daily routine. Make a plan for this and put everything in a calendar or notebook to make it happen.
If you decide to change jobs, make a detailed plan. What you will do, why you will do it, and when you will do it. Also, put everything in a calendar or notebook and move towards your goals. Be prepared to make adjustments and be flexible – deviations from your plan may occur, and it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing something. However, you may need to make some changes.
Final decision
Take enough time for yourself and make a balanced decision. It’s better to do it right than to start again in a few months. Your decision is the most important one – how serious you are depending on much more than you think. The power of intentions and concrete daily steps is the key to results.
Remember, you can always change something in your life. Sometimes it is easy and fast, and sometimes it takes some time. But you can do it if you want to and take action.
When you do make a decision, it will be easier. There will be no more doubts and hesitations: you will immediately feel that you have made the right move. However, before jumping ship, we recommend you make a list of pros and cons: why you want to leave and what’s good about your current job. This way, you will eliminate regrets and make the right choice.